Circuit maker and breaker



Nov. 25, 1924.

L. S. BALUTA ET AL CIRCUITMAIKER AND BREAKER Filed Dec. 1. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 25, 1924- 1,516,908

| s. BALUTA ET AL CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER I Zinue'ntoz Z; Leunar E1 EBa'luTa 17 U sea 1" HAITI-Lu ff I a W 30, 19 4 Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,516,908 PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD 'BALUIA AND OSCAR 1V. ALTHUFF, OF BERWICK, PENNSYLVANIA.

orncorr MAKER AND BREAKER.

Application filed December 1, 1921. Serial No. 519,199.

for theaters and the-like, such as disclosed in our pending application filed June 28, 1921, Serial Number 481,080, but which is susceptible of-other uses and which includes a novelly arranged solenoid and armature for insuring an even pull on the armature, when the solenoid is energized and a novel means for adjustably supporting the armature operated contact making lever, so that the same can be set at different points for changing the relative position of the armature in relation to the solenoid and the contact-points in relation to each other, Wl18Y- by thecir cuit closer is given great flexibility over wide ranges of electric voltage.

Other objects of the invention are-first to provide a novel guide for the lever operating armature, so that the same will be held centered at all times for free movement and second novel means for supporting the contact points, where the same can be adjusted independently of each other and in relation to each other. p

A still furtherobject of the invention is to provide a novel circuit making and breaking device of the above character, which is of simple and durable construction and which can be placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of-this speci' 'ficati-on, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved circuit making and breaking device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section through the same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse. section through the circuit maker and breaker taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

conducting material.

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on the line4-4i of Figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the circuit maker and breaker illustrating the means for adjustably supporting the contact points, and

i Fig. "6 is a detail perspective View of the novel guide for the contact making lever, which is-operated by the solenoid.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views the letter A generally indicates the improved circuit making device,

which may be mounted on a face plate 10.

The face plate 10 is preferably formed of non-electric conducting material and is of a substantially rectangular configuration of the desired sizeand can be readily attached to any suitable support if desirable. The face plate 10 adjacentto one transverse edge thereof has secured thereto by suitable fastening elements 11 the operating solenoid 12 whlch can be of the usual or of a special construction.

The coil orsolenoid 12 niay be wound to any capacity and resistance to suit conditions for which it isintended and receives in the bore of the spool 12 thereof the arnrature 13. This core or armature 13 is formed of a relatively smaller diameter than the bore of the spool 12 so as to eliminate friction in the spool and thereby allow for :an even pull on the armature. This armature 13 is held centered in the solenoid by means of a weight 14 which is threaded or otherwise secured to the lower end thereof. This weight 1 1 also tends to hold and to move the "armature to the lower end of the solenoid ma-ture 13 adjacentto the lower end thereof is flattened andfittedin the bifurcated-end of a bell crank lever 15. A pivot pin 16 serves as means for connecting the armature 13 with the bell crank 15 and as stated the weight 14 holds the armature in :avertical position at all times on said pivot pin.

The bell crank lever 15 is disposed mainly in the space 17 of a U-shaped frame 18, which is also preferably made of non-electric This frame has one end non-electrically connected with the solenoid 12 by means of suitable fastening elements or the like 19. It thus can be seen that the circuit closer in itself is a complete unit and that the unit may be held in position on the face plate 10 by means of the fastening elements 11. The frame 18 includes parallel spaced arms 20 and 21 which have formed therein adjacent to the connecting portion 18 thereof a plurality of aligned opening 22 any one of which is adapted to align with any one of the openings 23 formed in the bell crank 15. The openings 22 and 23 are positioned different distances apart and are adapted to receive the removable pivot pin 24. By changing the position of the pivot pin 24 in the various openings 22 and 23 the core or armature 13 is disposed at varying distances within the sole noid 12, so that the contact point 25 carried by depending short arm 26 of the bell crank 15 can be adjusted in relation to the contact point 27 carried by the supporting bar 28 which is held in position by contact bolt 29. One end of the contact bolt 29 is extended beyond the supporting frame to form a binding terminal. These contact points 25 and 27 are held in place by suitable nuts 29 which are threaded on the stems of the contact points. The active faces of the contact points 27 and 25 may be formed of some metal, which is particularly well adaptable for forming an electric contact.

The solenoid 12 has connected to the terminals 31 thereof the lead wires 32 and 33 which may lead from a main circuit. The conducting bolt 29 has connected thereto a wire 34 and the pivot bolt 24 has connected thereto a wire 35 and these wires 34 and 35 may form the lead wires of an auxiliary circuit.

In order to establish. a good contact between the pivot pin 24 and the bell crank 15 and in order to hold the bell crank 15 in spaced relation to the arms 20 and 21 of the frame 18, a resilient clip 36 is provided. This resilient clip is of a substantially U- form and includes inwardly bowed arms 37 which are slotted intermediate their ends as at 38 for receiving and engaging the pivot bolt 24. It can be seen that the arms 37 snugly engage the inner faces of the arms 20 and 21 of the frame 18 and the opposite faces of the lever 15. a In operation of the improved circuit closer when the circuit of the solenoid is broken the weight 14 will pull the armature downward within the solenoid and rock the lever 15 upon its pivot 24. This will bring the contact points 25 and 27 into firm contact thus establishing an electrical communication between the wires 34 and 35. As soon as the main circuit is closed the solenoid will become again energized and thus attract the armature 13 and move the 1. A circuit maker and breaker comprising a Solenoid, a frame, including a pair of spaced arms disposed at each side of the axis of said solenoid, a bell crank lever disposed between said arms, the arms and the bell crank lever having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a pivot bolt for positioning in any one of said registering openings, the pivot bolt forming a bimling post, a removable spring clip arranged to engage the pivot bolt, the lever and the arms, a second binding post, a stationary contact point electrically connected with the second binding post, a movable contact carried by the lever electrically connected with the first binding post through said pivot bolt, spring and lever, and an armature carried by said lever and extending into said solenoid.

2. A circuit maker and. breaker comprising a solenoid, a frame, including a pair of spaced arms disposed. at each side of the axis of said solenoid, a bell crank lever disposed between said arms, the arms and the bell crank lever having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a pivot bolt for positioning in any one of said registering openings, the pivot bolt forming a binding post, a second binding post, a stationary contact point electrically connect-ed with the second binding post, a movable contact carried by the lever electrically connected with the first binding post through. said pivot bolt and lever, and an armature carried by said lever and extending into said solenoid.

3. A circuit maker and breaker comprising in combination, a lever having a horizontal axis of oscillation, a vertically disposed solenoid, an armature extending upwardly into said solenoid and pivotally carried by the free end portion of said lever, a stationary contact, a movable conta :t for cooperation therewith, carried by said lever, and a weight carried by said armature having the dual function of centering said armature in said solenoid and holding said contacts in engagement due to the force of gravity, when saidsolenoid is not energized.

LEONARD S. EAL UTA. OSCAR lV. ALllI-IOFF. 

